title: Cochlear implantation through the middle fossa: an anatomic study for a novel technique.
abstract: CONCLUSIONS
  The technique proposed is simple, reliable, and provides sufficient exposure of the basal portion of the cochlea while avoiding disabling complications. It enables visualization of the cochlear basal turn and the osseous spiral lamina, facilitating the insertion of the cochlear implant array through the scala tympani.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe a novel approach for exposing the cochlear basal turn for cochlear implantation through the middle cranial fossa.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty temporal bones were dissected and a cochleostomy was performed via a middle fossa approach on the most superficial part of the cochlear basal turn, using the superior petrosal sinus, the skeletonized petrous apex, the lateral surface of the meatal plane trailed on the petrous apex from its most proximal portion, and the great superficial petrosal nerve as landmarks. The distance between the landmarks and the distance between the cochleostomy and the round window were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all temporal bones, only the top portion of the cochlear basal turn was uncovered. The cochleostomy allowed both the scala tympani and the vestibule to be exposed. A computed tomography scan of the temporal bones was performed to document the electrode insertion from the cochlear basal turn until its apex. The mean ± SD minor and major distances between the cochleostomy and the meatal plane were estimated to be 2.48 ± 0.88 mm and 3.11 ± 0.86 mm, respectively. The mean distance from the cochleostomy to the round window was 8.38 ± 1.96 mm, and that to the superior petrosal sinus was 9.19 ± 1.59 mm. The mean minor and major distances between the cochleostomy and the long axis of the meatal plane from its most proximal portion were estimated to be 6.63 ± 1.38 mm and 8.29 ± 1.43 mm, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rubens de
authors.initials: Rd
authors.lastname: Brito
authors.forename: Aline Gomes
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Bittencourt
authors.forename: Robinson Koji
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Tsuji
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Magnan
authors.forename: Ricardo Ferreira
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Bento
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002102:Cadaver; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods